SNAP Enrollment Information Letters for Seniors

Summary

Most eligible seniors did not enroll in SNAP despite qualifying. An information letter tripled enrollment relative to do-nothing. Adding active enrollment assistance tripled it again. The cost per enrollee ($20–60) was trivial relative to annual benefit value ($1,300). The study challenged the assumption that low take-up reflects low need, showing that administrative friction and information gaps drive most non-enrollment.

Research question

"Can informational letters and enrollment assistance increase SNAP take-up among eligible elderly residents?"

Methodology

Result

Positive

Control: 6% → Information only: 11% → Information + Assistance: 18%

Evidence strength

Strong

Randomized trial, replicated across multiple sites or studies.

Replication status

Replicated